Among Friends

[gloriajean]

Hello my friends!  I tried earlier to get in here, but it said it was not working.  So now it is.  Darla was going shopping tonight for something and was so sore, I'll have to call her to find out how she is, couldn't talk her out of going out.  She says in another month she probably can't anymore.  Nothing new about my day, just that there are still many blessings that come my way, that I know is God-send.  What are you all thankful for?  I'm so thankful for all the friends that I've made through this thread thoughout the years.  

Wondering how long I should keep this thread going.  

Joy is left if you rid your heart of all that pulls you down. Lord, help

me to heal my spirit and grow from today's experiences.

S C R I P T U R E   F O R   T H E   D A Y  

"The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!'"  ~Luke 17:5

M E D I T A T I O N   F O R   T H E   D A Y 

I can pray for faith as a thirsty person prayers for water in a desert.
I can know what it means to feel sure that God will never fail me.  I can be
as sure of this as I am sure that I still breathe.  I can pray daily and
most diligently that my faith may increase.  There is nothing lacking in my
life because, really, all I need is mine, only I sometimes lack the faith to
know it.  I can be like a rich man's child who sits in rags when all around
me are stores of all I could ever desire.

P R A Y E R   F O R   T H E   D A Y  

I pray that for the realization that God has everything I need.  I pray that
I may know that God's power is always available to me.

St. Faustina's Prayer for Trust

When I look into the future, I am frightened, But why plunge into the future?
Only the present moment is precious to me, As the future may never enter my soul at all.
It is no longer in my power, To change, correct or add to the past;
For neither sages nor prophets could do that. And so, what the past has embraced I must entrust to God.
O present moment, you belong to me, whole and entire. I desire to use you as best I can.
And although I am weak and small, You grant me the grace of your omnipotence.
And so, trusting in Your mercy, I walk through life  like a little child,

Offering You each  day this heart Burning with love for Your greater glory. 

When you are wrong, have the courage to admit it because it's the best

way to show that you are wiser today than yesterday. Lord, may I be

humble enough so that even my mistakes make me a stronger and better

person.

S C R I P T U R E   F O R   T H E   D A Y 

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;
for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  ~Matthew
11:28-30

M E D I T A T I O N   F O R   T H E   D A Y 

We are so made that we can only carry the weight of twenty-four hours,
no more.  If we weigh ourselves down with the years behind and the
days ahead, our back breaks.  God has promised to help us with the
burdens of this day. If we are foolish enough to gather again the
burden of the
past and carry it, then indeed we can become unnecessarily heavily
burdened.  We can forget that which lies behind us and breathe in the
blessing of each new day.

P R A Y E R   F O R   T H E   D A Y 

I pray that I may realize that, for good or bad, past days have ended.
I pray that I may face each new day, the coming twenty-four hours,
with hope and courage.

Spiritual Fruits of the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary

Each Mystery represents a particular virtue. Concentrate on the virtue associated with the Mystery and ask God's grace to achieve it.

Joyful Mysteries
1. The Annunciation - Humility
2. The Visitation - Love of Neighbor
3. The Birth of Christ - Poverty of Spirit (Detachment)
4. The Presentation in the Temple - Obedience
5. The Finding in the Temple - Joy in finding Jesus

Luminous Mysteries
1. The Baptism of Our Lord - Openess to the Holy Spirit
2. The Wedding at Cana - To Jesus through Mary
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom - Desire for Holiness
4. The Transfiguration of Our Lord - Acknowledgement of Christ's Divinity
5. The Institution of the Eucharist - Love of our Eucharistic Lord

Sorrowful Mysteries
1. The Agony in the Garden - Sorrow for Sins, Uniformity with the will of God
2. The Scourging at the Pillar - Mortification (control of one's senses)
3. The Crowning with Thorns - Moral Courage
4. The Carrying of the Cross - Patience
5. The Crucifixion - Perseverance

Glorious Mysteries
1. The Resurrection - Faith
2. The Ascension - Hope
3. The Descent of the Holy Ghost - Love of God
4. The Assumption - Grace of a Happy Death and True Devotion towards Mary
5. The Coronation of Mary - Trust in Mary's Intercession

Blood of Christ, Inebriate Me

Blood of Christ, inebriate me! Inebriate me with Your Love, that I may be absorbed in Your interests and Your Will. Absorbed so as to be unmindful of my ills and petty cares. Unmindful of weariness and pain, heartache, and disappointment. Heedless of the lash of cruel words, and patient under wrongs. Amen.

Prayer To Bring Christ's Peace to the World

God, our Father, Your Word, Jesus Christ, spoke peace to a sinful world and brought mankind the gift of reconciliation by the suffering and death He endured. Teach us, the people who bear His name, to follow the example He gave us: may our faith, hope, and charity turn hatred to love, conflict to peace, and death to eternal life. Amen.

CLOSED DOORS
Author Unknown


We need to learn to praise the Lord as much for a closed door as we do
an open door. The reason God closes doors is because He has not
prepared anything over there for us. If he didn't close the wrong
door, we would never find the right door.

God directs our path through the closing and opening of doors. Once a
door closes, it forces you to change your course. Another door closes,
it forces you to change your course again. Then, finally, you find the
open door and you walk right into your blessing.

The Lord directs our paths through the opening and closing of doors,
but instead of praising him for the closed door (which keeps us out of
trouble); we get upset because we "judge by the appearances. "

You have an ever-present help in the time of trouble that is always
standing guard. Because He walks ahead of you, He can spot trouble
down the road and set up a roadblock or detour accordingly. But
through our lack of wisdom, we try to tear down the roadblocks or push
aside the detour sign. Then the minute we get into trouble, we start
crying, "Lord, how could You have done this to me?"

We have got to realize that the closed door can be a blessing. Didn't
He say that no good thing would He withhold from them that love Him?

If you get terminated from your job, praise God for the new
opportunities that will manifest themselves: it might be another job,
it might be school.

If that man or woman won't return your call, it might not be them, it
might be the Lord setting up a roadblock (just let it go).

One time, a person had a bank they had been in business with for many
years tell them "No!" to a $10,000 loan. The Lord put in their spirit
to call another bank. That bank gave them $40,000 at a lower interest
rate than the first bank was offering.

We can sometimes trap ourselves in doubt and discouragement through
judging by appearances. Be grateful for the many times our Father has
closed doors to us just to open them in the most unexpected places.

The Lord won't always say in spoken words: "Go to the left, now to the
right" ...sometimes He will just close the doors that are wrong for
you.

God Bless You Always!

T E N   C O M M A N D M E N T S   F O R   P A R E N T S
       from the perspective of a child

  1. My hands are small. Please don't expect perfection whenever I make a
  bed, draw a picture or throw a ball. My legs are short. Please slow down
  so that I can keep up with you.

  2. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have. Please let me explore
  safely. Don't restrict me unnecessarily.

  3. Housework will always be there. I'm only little for such a short time.
  Please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world, and
  do so willingly.

  4. My feelings are tender. Please be sensitive to my needs. Don't nag me
  all day long. (You wouldn't want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness.)
  Treat me as you would like to be treated.

  5. I am a special gift from God. Please treasure me, holding me
  accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by and
disciplining me in a loving manner.

  6. I need your encouragement and your praise to grow. Please go easy on
  the criticism. Remember, you can criticize the things I do without
criticizing me.

  7. Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit
  me to fail so that I can learn from my mistakes. Then someday, I'll be
  prepared to make the kind of decisions life requires of me.

  8. Please don't do things over for me. Somehow that makes me feel that my
  efforts didn't quite measure up to your expectations. I know it's hard,
  but please don't try to compare me with my brother or my sister.

  9. Please don't be afraid to leave for a weekend together. Kids need
  vacations from parents, just as parents need vacations from kids. Besides,
  it's a great way to show us kids that your marriage is very special.

  10. Please take me to Church regularly, and set a good example for me
  to follow.

  Author Unknown

Such a blessing

Such a blessing, such as this, 
That together we are more
when I turn on my computer 
It seems like you're at my door !

Welcome my cyber sisters 
Welcome brothers "in the Lord"
Today is a new day 
Great blessings and great joy !

Father bless my "special" friends 
Ones with no faces for me to see
But with the key pads , 
we can feel the love 
And pray and intercede !

Keep us forever, remembering 
That we are truly blessed
I pray for each new cyber-friend 
And for those still to come!

Thank you, Father
Love, me

A Child's Cry

Oh Jesus, what a wonderful Father you are, 
You tuck me in my bed at night, 
Give me a kiss and say "sleep tight" 
Then you close my eyes to sleep, 
While you stand above my bed and weep.

You cry for me for all the things I don't take, 
Because of the decisions I make when I am awake. 
You have so much You want to give, 
To help me in this life I live.

But I miss so many blessings you see, 
Because there's still too much of "me." 
I am my own worst enemy, 
Causing roadblocks that hinder me,
From all the joy, the peace and the love, 
That You have for me from above.

You show me Your love everyday, 
But I don't always follow Your way.  
There's too much self that hears Satan's lies, 
They swarm around me like buzzing flies.

Oh help me Abba, to be like a child, 
To be disciplined and not so wild.  
I know what I want, not things of this life, 
For they bring not pleasure;  only strife.

Teach me Thy love so it fills my heart, 
Not leaving empty places for his fiery dart. 
I want to be all I can for You, 
But I don't always do what I ought to do.

Take me this day, fill my heart and my head, 
And show me how to have the "old me" truly be dead. 
I am Your child; You called me by my name, 
Teach me how to change and not remain the same.

Open my eyes so I can see, 
Just what it is You want me to be.

- Author Unknown

Jesus Calling

Rest in me, My child. This time devoted to Me is meant to be peaceful, not stressful. You don’t have to perform in order to receive My Love. I have boundless, unconditional Love for you. How it grieves Me to see My children working for Love: trying harder and harder, yet never feeling good enough to be loved.

Be careful that your devotion to Me does not become another form of works. I want you to come into My Presence joyfully and confidently. You have nothing to fear, for you wear My own righteousness. Gaze into My eyes, and you will see no condemnation, only Love and delight in the one I see. Be blessed as My Face shines radiantly upon you, giving you Peace.

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

 —John 15:13

“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”

 —Zephaniah 3:17

“The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

—Numbers 6:25–26

[qualitygal]

Good morning to you too!

[Bobbi sue]

Good morning to all....Gloria, God, I believe, inspired this thread.  You never know who benefits from your thread.  God knows.  I believe that God wants you to continue this thread.  Keep it going please.

I am thankful that Jesus watches over me and protects me. We have a faithful Lord.

It snowed last night.  My car is covered lightly.  It will melt later today.

God bless all who post and read.

[marmot24]

Morning Gloria and all...I agree with Bobbie Sue that many are touched by your daily positive thread.  I hope it's not too much work for you.  Even tho I don't post often, I read it every day.  Hope and pray that things continue to go well for Lori and babies.

Are you still planning on watching them for her? I envy you having 2 babies to love.  We have only 1 grandson and he's 25, so no babies in our near future.  

Good news on baby Dakota...she's up to 9 pounds and was able to go to Easter church services. They don't take her out much, have to be so careful about exposing her to germs.

take care and God bless....marmot

[patnap]

Dear Gloria, please continue with this thread for as long as you can.I know with the coming births of your precious grand babies you will be very busy  ( what a blessing) but when you can please post this thread. It is so inspirational to so many people, including myself.  I don't post very often but every evening I come to this thread.  It gives me hope and I know that God is with me throughout all the challenges  and blessings in my life.  All the best to you and your family. God Bless...

[Bowwowluv]

Gloria 

please continue with the thread.  It is the first post I read everyday and many times I forward it to friends.  I would miss the scriptures and insights you provide.

[HeresLucy]

Good morning to all. I've not been around lately but I'm still kicking. I hope everyone has been ok and life is going well. 

Have a beautiful day filled with many blessings. 

[HiLo]

So much labor and love goes into this blog but I sometimes wondered why few ever commented on the actual scriptures and other spiritual material Gloria provides.

Happy to come here today and see that there are so many who look to this site for spiritual inspiration even though they don't comment.

Things change in all our lives, other duties, etc. and I'm sure Gloria would like to continue as long as others are benefited spiritually but if the time comes when you Gloria find personal responsibilities overwhelming and the need to slow down, please think of yourself and your family needs; surely  even a week end thread would be welcomed.

Gloria,. I know it gives you great satisfaction to know that God has blessed many through the years with your ministry here.

Thanks for allowing me to share my thoughts.

Lois

[Puzzle Piece]

Hello To All

Gloria, keep the thread going as long as you feel you can.  Many read but don't post.  It is a comfort for others. 

My blessings today are that I was able to sleep in and get much needed rest.  I look forward to some housework today (yes, that is also a blessing as I've been here and there and a lot didn't get my attention), I'm baking (always a nice effort as things smell nice in the kitchen), my cats are sleeping (not annying one another), I'll do a little yardwork and then plan for dinner.  Simple and non-eventful and THAT is a blessing to me. 

I know for all that the Source of all Good, all Love, all Creattion is within us all.  So dear to all our hearts.  I give thanks for this nation, our troops, our citizens and the many wonderful and generous ways we provide for all the world.  My America is not perfect but she is the light that shines brighly to those that know how to love and how to serve.  Know you are loved.  Be at peace. 

[luvswesties]

@gloriajean, when needed most, your posts have brought me hope, inspiration, and solace.  Thank you. We all have many demands on our time and I inderstand if you need to direct your time to your family...... especially as the babies are on the way!  Please do what you need to do personally.  If you post occasionally I will still be reading and thanking God for you! 

God bless